With other pre-pubescent import car enthusiasts, we obsessed over the finer points of corner entry theory while using a Mazda RX-7 on 3rd gear versus the efficient exit velocity we will need to successfully clear the Akina mountain stage with a competitive time. How could a movie based on an anime/manga/arcade game whose target audience is pheather-wearing greasy haired borderline sociopathic high school sophomores who habitually cut school be made into a successful film that wins awards (It made its US premiere at the prestigious AFI Festival and won two awards at the 42nd annual Golden Horse Awards). Clearly something was up, and we weren't dealing with the garden variety film about testosterone and engines.

SFist Paolo, contributing